Sacramento Black Panther Turned Preacher To Stump For Romney

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SACRAMENTO (CBS13) – A local former Black Panther turned preacher is now being embraced by Mitt Romney supporters.

As the presidential election nears, Dr. Phillip Goudeaux of Calvary Christian Center in Sacramento has been invited to speak at rallies in five of the swing states where it’s still a close race.

But CBS13 political analyst Steve Maviglio, a Democrat, says when he learned conservative black pastors from across the country have been personally invited by Romney supporters to hold rallies in critical swing states, he wasn’t surprised.

“They are getting paid to pray essentially,” Maviglio said. “I think its one of these dirty tricks by the Romney campaign.”

Goudeaux disagrees.

“I’ve been doing this before there was a Romney,” he said. “It’s the values where I stand.”

But why would this former Black Panther turned preacher support Romney when the Massachusetts governor struggles to resonate with minority voters?

“This is not a Romney thing, a Democrat or Republican, black or white,” he said. “This is about family or traditional values family. It doesn’t matter who the person is, I’m going to support the one who supports my values, which I base upon the Bible.”

But some are critical of the black clergymen, saying they’re only being used for political gain and calling their efforts pointless.

“I don’t think its going to make a difference in the long haul,” Maviglio said.

Goudeaux says he’s not a rookie to politics.

“I’ve been standing for 40 years,” he said. “I’ve never backed off my commitment.”